Lagos — "Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand!" That line from the country's first anthem as a Republic has for long remained an ideal.

More than ever, Nigerians should wake up and embrace the globally recognised need for cohesion and national identity for them to achieve true corporate and even individual greatness.

It must be acknowledged that, on the surface, Nigeria possesses ingredients of confusion and disharmony. With over 250 ethnic groups, two dominant religions that historically view each other with suspicion, social and political classes that engender disaffection and disillusionment and political leadership at all levels that appear doomed to mediocrity, it could take more than sheer optimism to see a better tomorrow. As a matter of fact, those who question the nation's nationality often point to these attributes as evidences of a false foundation and a phantom future.

However, accepting that line of argument would not only be defeatist but also deficient in situational truth and scientific probity. To start with, rather than being a liability, diversity can indeed, as demonstrated throughout both ancient and modern history, be a veritable tool for intellectual and cultural strength - two indispensable prerequisites for societal development and growth. China, for instance, is far larger than Nigeria in terms of land mass and population. It is also culturally diverse. Yet, its monstrous demographic credential has not weighed it down as it strives to unseat the United States as the world's foremost country. The US equally presents a glowing example for Nigeria. As host to all the world's races and with a population twice as large as Nigeria's it draws its moral and political strength directly from its heterogeneity.

Nigerians should, therefore, begin to seek and emphasize qualities that transform "geographical contraptions," as cynics sometimes dismiss entities like Nigeria, to strong and dynamic countries. Happily, the recipe for success as a nation already exists. Even the enemies of Nigeria do not deny its social and economic potential, despite the generations of waste and abuse it has so far experienced. Also, as home to about one out of every four black person on earth, its human resources can be deployed to great and enviable ends. If the countries that are not as endowed as this country are making tangible progress in several fields, there is no reason why Nigerians should not come together and redefine the nation's place in the scheme of things.

Therein lies the centrality of unity. But to attain it, the present fallacies and prejudices must be dealt with. The two largest religions in the country - Christianity and Islam - both originated from the Middle East and were only transmitted here, as also accomplished elsewhere. They should not continue to be used as divisive instruments. As for ethnicity, the nations that are linguistically homogeneous must be very few indeed. The concept of lingua franca is to bridge whatever communication vacuum that may exist among various peoples. For those who imagine and propose the dissolution of the nation along ethnic or regional lines as an antidote for stability, their views are Utopian. History is replete with protracted intra-tribal wars. There is no guarantee that acrimony would disappear in the event of cultural homogeneity.

So, the task before the present crop of political leaders, relevant government agencies and non-governmental organizations in this regard is to mobilize and give practical expressions to the forces of integration. Emphasis should be placed on Nigerianness rather than sectional interests. Those who claim to speak for the various religious, ethnic and regional groups should do so with every sense of responsibility and not make utterances that alienate or infuriate others. Whenever the nation is confronted with stark realities, issues should remain the focus and not base sentiments.

The National Assembly in particular has a critical role to play here. As it embarks on a review of the Constitution, it should give attention to genuine citizenship. Political and social rights should be based more on residency than the so-called indigeneity. It is sad that the "Indigene/Settler" syndrome has been allowed for too long to foster a culture of hatred and violence. This monster should be dealt with frontally; after all, every ethnic group in this country migrated at some point to its present location.

On a final note, this country and its people stand to gain tremendously from harmony. Even if the amalgamation of the country in 1914 was not politically correct, Nigerians have come a long way as neighbours. They must now look beyond primordial considerations and, at least, accommodate one another. Distasteful conditions like poverty, ignorance, inept leadership and underdevelopment have no state of origin, as they are somewhat spread across the country. Nigerians, instead of wallowing in the web of disunity, should rise in unison and fight these mutual monsters.

If that is done, they will have a country that can stand as a proud member of the comity of civilized, progressive nations.